Packaging The Presidency

10 Pages 2418 Words

h the radio, the candidates could reach far more voters than gathering in small town halls. With time, the radio became as a necessary medium of politicians to reach their constituents. Of course, politicians were now required to pay for air time. Films and newsreel were also used as a medium for campaign. Then of course, television came into the stage. Like the radio, television reached more people. Candidates used these to address the issues and discuss important matters. Television today still functions as one of the most used medium in political campaigns. This is because the people are able to see them and at the same time hear what they have to say. Also, the campaign managers also have some control on what to be aired and what not to be included in the advertisement.
Ninoy Aquino would probably be as loved and popular as Eisenhower if he were able to run for president in the later part of the Martial Law Years. Like Eisenhower, Ninoy Aquino is regarded as a hero. He was seen as the one who would free the Filipino people from the oppression of Former President Marcos. Eisenhower, however, differed because he was a former military officer. He had to shift his image of being a soldier, who fights war to a statesman with leadership qualities, who will work for peace and development. There was some downside on this because Eisenhower’s opponents attack him as incapable of handling state affairs. This is very typical of Filipino politics, most especially when nearing elections. Candidates would do anything to put down the opponent to come out as the winner.
It was also pointed out that the television was a better attention-getters than speeches of candidates. It was the failure of the campaign of Stevenson that proved this. Stevenson used highly intellectual ideas that the people cannot anymore understand what he is trying to say. Only a small part of the voting population appreciated his campaign. He was not able to reach the ...